The Custom Appearance of Raised Panel Wainscoting

Are you looking for a unique way to dress-up your walls? There are many enticing ways to bring style to a home’s interior and a simple, affordable choice is raised panel wainscoting.

The
term wainscoting is used to refer to the technique of covering the
lower portion of a wall with wood paneling. Wainscoting is a great way
to bring variation in design to a room, and can also be used to hide
unsightly blemishes. There are many styles of paneling to choose from,
and a popular favorite is raised panels.

Have you ever seen raised paneled cabinets? Well, the raised panels
used for wainscoting utilize the same concept. Instead of a simple
paneling, the raised design has more of a custom appearance with
beveled edges.

Installing Raised Panel Wainscoting

Raised paneling comes
packaged in kits to help make the time-consuming installation easier.
The kits normally include base and top rails, stiles (the vertical
boards that separate the panels), panels, shoe molding, and cap rail.

When installing, first
determine your layout. You want to know before you begin how the stiles
and panels are going to fit on the wall, and how they will line-up
around electrical outlets.

Once you know your layout, stain or paint the materials the desired color.

The next step is to
install the base molding. Use a level to ensure the molding is level
with the wall as this will be your guide for the whole project.

After the base molding is nailed securely in place, install the stiles and panels resting them on the base molding.

After all panels are in
place, install the cap rail and shoe molding. Fill any holes and seams
with caulking and then touch-up paint where needed.

Raised paneling is
normally made out of MDF with a veneer covering, which can be painted
or stained. For additional cost, it also comes in solid wood. The
MDF installs cleanly without warping or other imperfections, and can
still have the appearance of real wood when veneered with oak, cheery,
maple, or poplar.

Paneled wainscoting has
been used in homes for over 200 years, and just recently sparked
renewed interest. Dress-up your home with some classy paneling. Request
free estimates from drywall contractors in your area.

Contents

If you’ve ever seen raised panel cabinets, then you have an idea of what raised panel wainscoting looks like. Instead of simple paneling, the raised design offers more of a custom appearance with beveled edges. Here’s more info if your walls are in need of a little dressing-up.

Costs

The cost of installing raised panel wainscoting depends on the materials used. MDF, or medium density fiberboard, for example, will cost significantly less than natural hardwood. On average, however, raised panel wainscoting kits generally cost $150-$250. Get a free price quote for your project here.

Pros

It is generally easy to install and can be completed as a DIY project.

Raised panel wainscoting can be painted in a variety of stains and paint colors.

This type of paneling can add interest to any wall in any room.

Cons

Raised panel wainscoting is usually made from MDF, a material that may not look as high-end as natural wood.

Durability

While MDF (what raised panel wainscoting is normally constructed from) may not be as durable as natural hardwood, it is considered sufficiently durability. It won’t change its shape due to temperature differences and is also water-resistant—as long as it’s not subjected to a large amount of water over an extended period of time.

Maintenance

Wood paneling, MDF included, is generally very easy to maintain. Simply dust the paneling regularly and do a deep clean once in a while with a mixture of detergent and warm water. Always dry your paneling immediately.

Common Questions and Answers

What do raised paneling installation kits include?

The raised paneling installation kits normally include base and top rails, stiles (the vertical boards that separate the panels), panels, shoe molding, and the cap rail.

How should raised paneling be installed?

When installing, first determine your layout. You want to know before you begin how the stiles and panels are going to fit on the wall, and how they will line-up around electrical outlets. Once you know your layout, stain or paint the materials the

History

Paneled wainscoting has been used in homes for over 200 years, and has just recently sparked renewed interest.